Ways To Re-Use Flower Vials

In the days that follow Valentine’s Day and other special occasions when loved ones send each other presentation boxes of roses, you can sometimes come across little plastic vials of water at the base of flower stems. These little vials provide lifesaving water to the flowers keeping them hydrated and looking their best. However you may now be wondering, “do I just throw them out, can I recycle them, or can they be used for something?”

Luckily for us frugal souls, yes, they can be used for something!

Even better news for green thumbs out there, they are perfect for propagating! Woot!

The little plastic vial lids easily pop off so that the old water can be tipped out and replaced with fresh water.

I like to sterilize my vials in 1 part bleach to every 9 parts water, letting them soak with the lids separated for approximately 30 minutes. I then rinse them and top them back up with fresh water before replacing the lids so they are ready for cuttings.

Once cleaned, topped up, and reassembled, all you need to do is poke your cutting through the little hole at the top, ensuring the water inside covers the node where the root will come out of.

You can also get creative and add little stones or small clay balls inside the vial before replacing the lid and adding your cutting.

Mounting Your Flower Vial Propagation

I find the easiest way to display these light weight items is with the wad of Blu-tac. This means they can be placed against windows, sills, and walls for optimum light for your young plants growth. Alternatively I have seen makeshift portable stands made using copper/gold copper thick wire wound around the vial and attached to a piece of wood to make up the base.